Earl Warren Middle School

155 Stevens Avenue

Solana Beach, CA 92075

School District

San Dieguito Union High
Grade

7-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:24
Type

public

School Map for San Dieguito Union High School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 19, 2023

This school was horrible went here for 2 years and the staff was terrible to me. The teachers do not care about their students please I beg of you do not send your kids here. Pick another middle school, please. Your kids will thank you.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2018

I chose Earl Warren because of its small size. I had hoped it would make it easier for my son to transition to middle school but regret not going to CVMS. I almost pulled him out of EWMS in 7th grade and really wish that I had. He was not challenged at all and did not enjoy his time here. He got A's without doing any homework. When he asked to move up in a subject, they wouldn't let him despite receiving 100s on tests. Sadly, he got used to being lazy. EWMS did not adequately prepare him for the rigors of high school. He did have some great teachers but they were few and far between. The basketball coach was a complete joke (eventually replaced). The office staff are rude and CLEARLY despise young people. I don't know how much they pay the counselor but I'm sure Alexa or Siri could offer more insightful advice. During one meeting, I recounted an episode where a student stole my son's lunch and hid his backpack and she brushed it off with a "yeah, that's just what boys do." I really don't know where they find these people!
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2018

less than optimal, while my daughter has mostly excellent teachers, like I mentioned, her science teacher Eric Schaller, is terrible. It's a shame because her favorite subject used to be science. I considered pulling her out of school due to this one teacher's behavior with regard to all the students, but due to friendships she had made and other excellent teachers, did not do so.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2017

The office ataff at this school seems to have a pretty dim view of kids, and to the extent that parents are responsible for producing kids, they seem to really dislike parents too. It just seems like the administrators are excited about building a new campus, and annoyed that there is educating to be done. I wish I sent my child to Carmel Valley Middle instead. It seems like CVMS values education more.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2017

My daughter loves Earl Warren. The academics have been excellent, and the administration has been very responsive to any question or concern we have. Can't wait for the new building next year!
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2017

What an easy transition to middle school. The principals, teachers, and staff couldn't be more helpful. The students are provided with all the information they need plus a successful learning environment and that promotes confidence. Welcoming and friendly would describe the campus atmosphere. Student academic success as well as personal growth are encouraged and accheived. Having the library next door working in tandum with the school and students is an added bonus.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2017

The Principal and staff and teachers are amazing! We wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Truely dedicated and caring people who love our kids and only want the best for them.
Submitted by other on January 04, 2017

Amazing Principal and administration staff! Teachers are great with the students. Excited for the new buildings and campus to open!
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2016

With the addition of new principal Adam Camacho, and the revolving door of vice principals, this school has gone downhill. The administration is weak and the teachers run the school. The Principal and teachers routinely ignore emails from parents. This is a common complaint among Earl Warren parents. Both the administration and teachers have no accountability and bristle at the slightest whiff of constructive criticism. The views of Parents and students are not valued or encouraged. The principal is new to being a principal having been rapidly promoted from guidance counselor to principal and is in way over his head. He has not had sufficient training to handle the level of problems a middle school principal has to deal with and his main method of coping is too ignore problems and hope they go away. He will back teachers over parents 99% of the time. This emboldens the teachers into taking either overly strict and punitive actions towards the students or alternately lazily phoning in their jobs. There's hardly any middle ground. Likewise, The principal is incapable of handling difficult situations like students bullying other students,etc. Nobody is monitoring the teachers and they largely make up their own curriculum, so a student's experience and ability to progress at the school is largely dependent upon them getting one of the "good" teachers. Unfortunately, my child did not get any of the "good"teachers according to one of the good teachers at Earl Warren and has suffered greatly and is behind despite being in honors classes. The word at one of the local high schools, CCA,is that the Earl Warren students enter CCA unprepared and behind compared to the other district middle schools and thus it's not surprising that counselors at both CCA and Earl Warren promote that Earl Warren students choose Torrey Pines over CCA. To top it off, the front office staff is sour and it is an extremely unpleasant experience every time you enter the front office or speak to the receptionist. This is not a well run school.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2016

Even through construction, the school continues to do a great job with its students. The PTSA is a very strong group for the benefit of the school children.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2013

a public middle school with less than 750 kids...wow does it get any better!! all level of classes and teachers and a principal that know their students. Surf, skate or independent PE or better yet participating in PE class to help "disabled" students enjoy PE. a variety of electives, after school programs and A PTSA that has lots of parental involvement.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2013

I have three children who went and are going to Earl Warren. We found the overall picture to be a perfect transition from Elementary to High School because it encourages and coaches the kids on how to take the lead on their own education. An Aries Portal allows students and parents to review their grade book regularly and lays out all assignments and homework due. The staff is very approachable and I found is very accommodating and flexible to family needs. Every public school has a few "Ten Year," teachers; however I feel this prepares students for real life and sets a challenge before them to make their own experience better. Ms Nuskin the Principal, is an innovative visionary who knows all the students and is always looking for ways to make her school the best it can be. I found that the volunteer opportunities to abundant as long as the parent gets themselves involved. The families are what shape a school and it becomes what they make it to be. Our overall experience has been excellent and we are sad to see the summer go but looking forward to the learning experiences ahead.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2013

My son has had a very good experience at Earl Warren. The teachers are mostly excellent, and he's been challenged appropriately. The school has a nice open feel. The buildings are old and run down, but they have real windows that open to let in the air and there are trees and grass. Some of the other middle schools I've seen look like penitentiaries, but this one doesn't. The Principal and Vice Principal are seen out and about constantly and are friendly and approachable. The joint school/public library is amazing and the kids can use it during the day and after school. I haven't heard of any particular problems of bullying or unfriendliness there. Generally, the kids all seem pretty nice and accepting.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2013

My daughter attended Carmel Valley Middle, but we chose the smaller Earl Warren for my son and have no regrets. Relaxed small-town feel, well-prepared faculty, above-average API, rigorous honors program. Many extracurricular opportunities including team sports, Concert Band, Science Olympiad and service organizations. Fairly diverse student population; Surf PE is a unique offering. The County branch library used by the school is excellent with more librarians and materials than other schools can afford. A Boys and Girls club with gym and aquatic center are right next door. No separate theater class is offered at Earl Warren, but North Coast Repertory Theater has great after-school programs for a price. The early 7:35 AM start and 2:15 PM dismissal time make afternoons less hectic. The Principal and/or Assistant Principal can often be seen out front at dismissal time. Parents can monitor academic progress through Aries online, and many parents volunteer. Optional school bus costs around $350 per semester. If you want a school where your student can try many different things, where the tryouts aren't too crowded and participation is encouraged, see if this school is right for you.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2012

My son enjoys EW. He flourishs socially but the schools doesn't foster a lot of parental involvement, without its established parent cliques. I do feel that parents conferences are still needed at this age and it is not encouraged. There is also a social class divide that my child has observed.
Submitted by other on December 13, 2012

Imagine all the things that could possibly make a middle school undesirable. Go anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2012

Overall a good school but some issues: Admin: The new principal has been here one year. The previous principal (and so others on her staff) was always walking the campus, knowing the students, on top of everything. Supervision down, exclusive clicks and bullying up. Science Dept: Teachers have a great approach. Its all about learning and stimulating interest. Tests can be retaken to improve scores. Less homework on weekends. And the kids actually learn. Math: Teachers are technically competent but inflexible. Tests are for grades. Period. No retakes. Understood the question, picked the right formula, followed the right steps, but made + or - error at the end, and its marked 100% wrong. No mercy here. History: 7th grade teacher is an emotional roller coaster. One day students are great, next day complete failures. 8th grade teacher thinks she's a university professor. Doesn't realize she loses most of the kids. Won't lower herself to look at individual needs nor offer specific help to individual students. English: Teachers ok but they do like their teachers' pets. Special Ed: Controlling, clueless, separate from core classes. Independent PE: Great option.